Annapolis, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the
Board of Public Works approval of recreational projects in Baltimore City and
Alleghany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Frederick, Washington and Prince
George’s Counties through local-side and
state-side Program Open Space funding.

“The warm summer months provide children the opportunity to play outside, and
we must ensure that they have safe, fun athletic facilities, community centers
and open spaces nearby to enjoy,” said Governor O’Malley. “These places are
vital for family gatherings, athletic competitions, local recreation and
environmental education programs and other activities that strengthen the unity
of Maryland’s communities and bring together our working families.”

Today, the Board of Public Works approved the following projects in
Baltimore City through local-side and state-side Program Open space funding:

$300,000 to expand the Patternson Park Recreational Center to create
programming space for an environmental education center that will be
operated by the National Audubon Society;

$660,000 to renovate the boiler/hot water system and gym HVAC at the
Chick Webb Recreation Center to meet building codes and avoid emergency
repairs, and to construct a new building for the Morrell Park Recreation
Center that will include LEED design items such as a green roof and
geothermal heating;

$1.3 million to enclose and redevelop the historic Clifton Park Pool
Pavilion as a new Recreation Center that will include a multi-purpose room,
classrooms, kitchen, staff office and restrooms.

Today the Board of Public Works also approved funding for the following
local-side Program Open space projects:

Alleghany County will receive $25,000 to complete the second phase of
construction of a concession and restroom facility with proper electricity,
plumbing and other amenities at Cresaptown Community Park;

The City of Annapolis in Anne Arundel County will receive
$959,542 to construct an 85,000-square foot community recreation center at
Truxtun Park, which will house a three court gymnasium, fitness center, rock
climbing wall, walking/jogging track and meeting room, which will significantly
improve and expand recreational program access for thousands of Annapolis and
area residents;

Baltimore County will receive $1.7 million to construct the Watersedge
Community Center at Concrete Homes Park in the Dundalk-Watersedge area of
southeast Baltimore County, which will include a gymnasium, dance studio and
activity room, and recreational office to provide much-needed indoor
recreational space for the densely populated greater Dundalk and Watersedge
communities; and $3.8 million to acquire the Perring Racquet Club in the Loch
Raven-Parkville area of the county to develop into a regional indoor sports
facility for the myriad of recreational programs offered by various recreation
and parks councils in the area;

Calvert County will receive $897,388 to plan, design and construct an
indoor aquatic facility in the Prince Frederick Town Center;

The City of Brunswick in Frederick County will receive $28,770
to renovate the City Park Building, a center for city recreation activities and
used by local youth groups, churches, and non-profit organizations;

Washington County will receive $26,775 to repave the road and parking
lot at Black Rock Golf Course in Hagerstown;

Prince George’s County will receive funding for three projects,
including:

$1.5 million to design and construct a 12,000-square foot community
center to provide much-needed recreational amenities and meeting space for
residents of both the Little Washington and Westphalia communities, and will
house a gymnasium and exercise room, which will eventually be attached to a
future elementary school;

$2.4 million to construct a 27,000-square foot community center at
Pinebrook Avenue in Landover, which will include a gymnasium, computer room,
fitness room, pre-school room and multi-purpose space, and will allow a
larger variety of program offerings for the local Landover community;

$ 258,400 to acquire 5 acres of land in Lanham for the development of a
trailhead to serve the local hikers and bikers of the American Discovery and
East Coast Greenway Trail Systems; and

$37,500 to renovate the existing gymnasium and stage area at District
Heights Recreation Center.

Since 2007, Governor O'Malley and the BPW preserved more than 23,434 acres of
natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across
Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of
342,009 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live
within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded Program Open
Space.

The three-member Board of Public Works is comprised of Governor O’Malley
(chair), Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is
authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant
contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement
actions.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which
is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible
for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and
visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles
of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum
environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land
conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources
attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's
effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental
priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov